Majed M. AlTahan is an award-winning entrepreneur and e-commerce pioneer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Throughout his career, Majed has been at the forefront of driving innovation and excellence in Saudi Arabia’s tech and digital commerce sectors, making a significant impact across various industries including retail, sports, healthcare and the food industry.
Through his various projects and endeavours Majed remains focused on leveraging technology to create solutions to transform convenience and efficiency in everyday life, making him a revered figure in the Middle East’s technology industry.
Current Roles:
Founder & CEO, IACO
Majed currently serves as the CEO of International Applications Company (IACO). In 2016, Majed developed the first online grocery shopping service in Saudi Arabia, in partnership with BinDawood Holding, the leading Saudi retailer. IACO, a digital transformation company, developed and operates BinDawood Holding's retail chains' Danube and BinDawood e-commerce channels. In 2023, 62% of IACO was acquired by BinDawood Holding.
Co-Founder & CEO, Danube Online
Majed co-founded and led Danube Online and the Danube App which was a first mover in Saudi Arabia’s e-commerce grocery space and redefined the grocery retail landscape in Saudi Arabia.
Executive Director, AlTahan Investments
A versatile and dynamic investor, Majed has spearheaded venture capital funding for over 40 enterprises across various sectors through AlTahan Investments. These include fintech, with a focus on ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ services; healthcare, emphasizing primary care clinics; the food industry, covering both food production and restaurants; technology, particularly in e-platforms for sports; and the media industry.
As well as leading investment capital funding for a broad range of enterprises, Majed has founded or acted as an advisor in the development of the following Saudi companies; Tawkeel (an application which offers Umrah Al Badel services for Muslims around the world), Walking Challenge (an application which encourages users to walk more by offering rewards and activities to encourage movement), Wardstation (an application for gift and flower deliveries in KSA), Presto and Momento (Italian restaurant establishments), Skore (high-end bakery and restaurant) and Ghayla (a KSA loyalty program).
Board Memberships
Majed is a board member in four companies including Spike E-Media and Al Nahdi Group.
Previous Roles & Accolades:
Founder & CEO, AYM Commerce
Majed co-founded and led Danube Online and founded AYM Commerce to specialize in breakthrough digital technologies and power online businesses in the region. Within one year of launch, Danube Online and the Danube App had redefined the grocery retail landscape in Saudi Arabia, winning the ‘Retail Technology of the Year’ award at Seamless Middle East Awards, where AYM Commerce was named ‘Start Up of the Year’ in the same year. As Danube Online continued to expand across the Kingdom and enter into new markets in the region, these accolades were followed by Majed being named as ‘Young CEO of the Year’ at the Saudi Top Achiever awards and ‘Digital Leader of the Year’ at the Seamless Awards in 2019, where Danube Online was also named ‘Most Admired Online Retialer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’. At AYM Commerce, Majed led the development of the Mobily Neqaty Rewards Program, and the Pampers Club Loyalty Program with Procter & Gamble.
Education:
Bachelor of Architecture – King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
The Middle East, particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, is attracting increasing attention from international brands due to its diverse culture and thriving consumer market. From 2024 to 2028, the region's food market is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 4.39%. This year, market revenue is expected to reach $135.5 billion, with the largest segment being candies and snacks, projected to reach $23.1 billion. The retail market in the Middle East is rapidly developing, primarily consisting of large supermarket chains and convenience stores, showcasing a unique channel landscape. For food and beverage brands looking to enter this market, understanding the layout and operational modes of these retail channels is crucial.
1.Major Retail Channels and Their Characteristics: Introduce key retailers in the Middle East market, including large supermarkets like BinDawood, Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarket, and Spinneys, and analyze their market coverage and consumer demographics. Explore the advantages of convenience store chains in the region (such as 7-Eleven and Al Meera) and understand their roles in the fast-moving consumer goods market.
2. Localization and Market Adaptation Strategies: How should brands adjust their strategies based on consumer preferences in different countries (like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, etc.)? How do varying demands for halal certification and localized products influence the choice of retail channels? Discuss the necessity and challenges of collaborating with local distributors, and how brands can enhance market adaptability through local partners.
3.The Rise of E-commerce and Omnichannel Retail: What impact does the rise of e-commerce platforms in the Middle East (like Noon and Amazon.sa) have on traditional retail channels? How can online retail effectively complement brand market expansion? Explore the importance of omnichannel strategies in the Middle East market and how to combine online and offline advantages for broader market coverage.
4.Logistics and Supply Chain Considerations: What logistics and supply chain challenges do brands face when expanding in countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE? How can they address food storage and distribution issues in the high-temperature environment of the Middle East? Discuss optimizing supply chains through localized warehousing and logistics networks to ensure product timeliness and quality.
5.Case Study: Analyze the channel selection strategies of some international brands (such as Nestlé and Coca-Cola) in the Middle East market and discuss how they achieved market share growth in the region.